When Pride Fell At My Toes - Chapter 16



Only Noblemtl

#16. Traces of Memories
2024.01.16.

“Oh, we weren’t like this back then, exchanging formal greetings.”

“I was much younger back then. It’s late, but I was very rude to you when I was young, but I appreciate your understanding.”

“It’s been a long time since we last met, and you’re saying such hurtful things. You were so affectionate back then, so it’s ridiculous to call you rude.”

Alessandro didn’t care about the years they hadn’t seen each other, and instead answered in a friendly manner. Emilia blinked once at his unabashed attitude and looked down.

She had only met him before she turned ten. At that time, her father had come to the capital for the first time because of some business in Deshiro, and that’s when she met Alessandro by chance.

Back then, even though she knew he was the crown prince, she didn’t feel awkward, but rather smiled comfortably and spent time with him.

They met three or four more times while she was in Deshiro, but after a while, Emilia returned to Barcorta, and their relationship naturally ended.

Of course, he had visited once during the Academy of Arts, but I had only seen him from afar. Even then, I only knew that the Kingdom was doing something with the Academy of Arts and that Alessandro had come as a representative, but it was a memory that I had quickly forgotten.

“… … I’m just grateful that you remembered me.”

“Well, maybe it’s because we haven’t seen each other in so long that I feel very uncomfortable. I remember that we used to talk comfortably when we were young.”

“Ah… … . I was very young back then. I didn’t know that it wasn’t right.”

Emilia lowered her head in slight embarrassment, and Alessandro’s lips fell limply. He closed his mouth for a moment as if he was somewhat disappointed

, then carefully opened his mouth. “Now that I think about it, I heard news about the Viscountess Este and her husband. I’m sorry I couldn’t visit you then.”

“No. I appreciate your words.”

Alessandro stared at Emilia, who was quietly lowering her eyes, for a moment, then smiled awkwardly and looked at the theater building.

“But may I ask why you came here? “I wonder if you’re staying in Desiro.”

“Yes, I’m currently a member of the Avaliante Opera Theater ballet troupe and I’m staying in Desiro.”

Emilia answered a beat late and looked up at Alessandro. She saw him turn his head away in surprise at her words as he was scanning the exterior of the theater.

“As a ballerina?”

“Yes.”

How would he react? Would he despise the nobleman for exposing his body and dancing in front of so many people? Even if he did, it didn’t really matter, but since it was around the theater, he still didn’t want his colleagues to know about his origins.

Alessandro’s gray-colored purple eyes widened and then closed again.

“That’s great. Didn’t you like ballet when you were young?”

Emilia barely managed to spit out the words after biting her lips.

“How could you…?”

“Thanks to memories.”

“… … I didn’t know you’d remember all the conversations.”

“I guess meeting you was really fun. Since you remember it like this.”

Emilia was taken aback by the pure admiration that did not even feel a hint of sarcasm. His eyes sparkled as if he was amazed, but there was not a single trace of displeasure in his eyes, and he still had a look of joy.

“Oh, I asked you about it, but I didn’t tell you why I came. This year, the kingdom is also focusing on the growth of the ballet company, so I came to discuss it in detail. There are still so many elements that can be developed in ballet, and if we properly introduce it to our kingdom, it would be a great help to the art and culture.”

“Ah… … . Well, it hasn’t been that long since ballet was properly established.”

“That’s right. But please keep my presence here a secret. I came out through the emergency exit to go quietly.”

Alessandro smiled freely, unlike his flashy appearance. He was completely different from Enrico, who naturally tried to reign over his superiors as if he was noble to the core.

‘They share the same blood, but they can be so different.’

The two were even more compared because their age difference was not that big. Enrico is Alessandro’s uncle. Being an uncle makes a person somewhat authoritative.

Emilia stared at Alessandro with a strange feeling, then took a step back.

“I won’t tell anyone.”

“Thank you.”

Alessandro let out a deep breath as if he had let go of his worries, then tilted his head with a gentle smile on his lips.

“If we get another chance, let’s meet again. Well then, I’ll take my leave now.”

“It was an honor that you remembered me.”

Emilia slightly bent her knees, then Alessandro placed his hand on his left chest and bowed his head politely.

Even though it was a short meeting when he was young, he was affectionate. I thought he would change as he grew up, but surprisingly, he seemed to be the same as before. What was even more surprising was that he seemed to remember more than I remembered.

Maybe it was because I treated him so casually that I caught his attention. Thinking back, Alessandro said he often went to the forest alone and didn’t seem to like meeting people.

When he happened to meet her when she followed her father to the palace, it was in a corner of the garden, and at first he didn’t respond much, but as she kept talking to him, they became closer.

‘By the way, I guess I talked a lot back then. Since you know about ballet… … .’

Emilia watched Alessandro’s back as he walked away, and then quickly turned her head to face him. She hurriedly headed toward the emergency exit and lightly rubbed one side of her cheek. Her cheek felt like it had been hit because she had been standing outside for a while.

***

The sound of shoes could be heard occasionally in the quiet space. Enrico, who walked down the street that said “Art Gallery” with his luggage on his back, looked relaxed. Furthermore, he was wearing an ivory-colored vest under his beige jacket, making his appearance look even more noble.

Various paintings were placed in gold frames on the pure white walls. Unlike the various landscapes in the paintings, the style of the painting was the same, but there were also works that occasionally showed a glimpse of other styles.

Enrico stopped in front of one painting. The painting, which showed the earth blackening under the sunset that seemed to be burning like fire, seemed to come alive because of the bold brush strokes. Enrico’s eyes narrowed.

“This is it.”

He didn’t hesitate for long. He nodded to the art gallery director who was waiting quietly behind him.

“Yes. There are only a few paintings by this artist. New sculptures are scheduled to arrive tomorrow morning

. Would you like to see them first?” “Hmm, is he dead too?”

“Yes? Yes. They say he passed away half a year ago.”

He smiled crookedly. He stared at the painting quietly and continued on his way. As the curator had said, since there were only a few works, the last painting in front of him was already the last one.

The painting was all about the white foam and water that rose as waves crashed. Enrico had the thought that this painting seemed like the artist’s last appearance.

“Art is really interesting. It has no value while alive and is only recognized when dead.”

The languid voice revealed an interest that could not be hidden. Times had changed and there were many nobles who painted, but artists born in poor families were still not treated well while alive and often starved to death.

And from then on, the paintings he painted were recognized for their enormous value and were priced high, so only the remaining people could make a living.

Enrico stared into space while sweeping his chin with his left hand. His

deep and calm jade-colored eyes like a lake, his soft white hands, and the hem of his skirt fluttering along his toes. Finally, the strange atmosphere that enveloped his delicate body, which seemed both fragile and strong. Like a finished work of art, the things that surrounded her came to mind one by one as if they were engraved on the retina.

Was that why he was more interested in Emilia? Because she seemed to lose value the moment she died?

Enrico’s eyes flashed with a strange color. However, if she lost even one of her original parts, she would not be able to show her current appearance, so she was an extremely difficult work of art that had to be managed with the utmost care while she lived.

‘Is this the third stage soon? She must be waiting for a reward.’

Enrico continued walking, recalling her long neckline like a deer and her empty earlobes that looked clean. After a while, as he walked through the long passageway toward the entrance of the art gallery, he saw Fabio, who was waiting against the wall with someone.

As if the conversation was over, the other person greeted him and left, and Fabio quickly approached Enrico as soon as he saw him.

“Have you seen everything?”

He carefully wrapped Enrico’s coat that was hanging on his arm around his broad shoulders.

“Yes. I don’t think I need to look anywhere else.”

“I’ll have the carriage ready right away.”

Fabio motioned to the museum staff and followed Enrico closely.

“The person I just met is from the Royal Medical Service. He said that a ball announcement was made this morning.”

“What’s the matter?”

“They invited the princess of the Kingdom of Carnth. The reason is trade and harmony between the two countries.”

“I can guess who came up with that useless idea. The crown prince?”

“Yes.”